TP-Link has announced plans to begin assembling Wi-Fi routers in the US, amid pressure from the Trump administration. The company's application to sell its newest routers in the US is pending, with assembly expected to commence as early as 2027, though this could slip to 2028.
The move comes after TP-Link signed a Letter of Intent with US company Keytronic, aiming to establish a manufacturing hub in Mississippi. However, the company faces uncertainty due to the Federal Communications Commission's ban on consumer-grade routers produced outside the US, with exemptions granted to other prominent manufacturers.
Despite TP-Link's efforts to distance itself from its Chinese origins, most components for its routers are still imported from China. The company hopes that this investment will secure its place in the US market, though the outcome remains to be seen.
What this means for the future of tech manufacturing in the US and global trade relations is anyone's guess. For now, TP-Link's routers will continue to arrive with a mix of Chinese and Vietnamese parts, pending regulatory approval.
